SBP targets bigger audience, brings Fiba 3×3 World Cup to PH Arena
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Compared to past 3×3 events staged in the country, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is going big at home as it is set hold the 2018 Fiba 3×3 World Cup at massive Philippine Arena in June.
SBP president Al Panlilio feels that it’s time for the halfcourt game to be staged in bigger venues so that it will be seen by bigger crowds.
“We want to give an opportunity for more people to see the games,” he said.
READ: SBP starts forming best PH team for 2018 Fiba 3×3 World Cup
Previously, Fiba 3×3 events were held inside malls. SM Megamall in Mandaluyong served as hosts for the 2014 World Tour Manila Masters, while Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita had the rights in the 2015 edition.
“I think we’ve been very successful holding it in the malls. Almost 4,000 people are watching the games. But now, we chose to move it to a bigger venue,” said Panlilio.
“From a Philippine basketball point of view, that gives an opportunity for the youth to watch the game. From the point of view of SBP and Fiba, we want to see bigger crowds in 3×3 and that’s something we want to deliver to Fiba. Hosting events have put the Philippines in the map and shows that we can host events like this, and that’s the reason we also pushed for the hosting of the 3×3 World Cup.”
READ: High expectations for 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup hosting
Gilas Pilipinas backer Ronald Mascariñas of Chooks-to-Go also thinks that this event could break attendance records in the 55,000-seater arena.
“It’s in the discussion if we’re going to break the record in attendance. But I think the question there is not if we’re going to break, but how many more times we will. Because Fiba should see how passionate the Filipinos are about basketball. That’s a given,” said the Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president.
The current mark for biggest attendance inside the world’s largest indoor stadium is held by the PBA, set last October 27, 2017 in Game 7 of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals where 54,083 fans trooped to the venue.
